Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury have developed one of the most skilled heavyweight rivalries of the century. Although it was Fury who was trumped when they met back in May, it was the unified champion who appeared at the press conference dressed as ‘The Hitman’ ahead of their rematch – with Fury supposedly the man with a target on his back.
Usyk and Fury went toe-to-toe in a battle to crown a first undisputed heavyweight champion of the 21st century and the first of the four-belt era when they meet in May but the result was not entirely conclusive – a split-decision win for the Ukrainian being the outcome.
Since then, Usyk has received plenty of plaudits, with many labelling as the heavyweight great of this generation, yet despite his legendary win, Tyson Fury will still have hope that he can avenge the loss given the success he had before the pivotal ninth-round.
Furthermore, ‘The Gypsy King’s’ success in rematches after difficult initial contests against both John McDermott and Deontay Wilder will serve Fury well, although drawing up the adjustments that he would need to make to outthink Usyk is an almighty, migraine-inducing task.
At the press conference ahead of the ‘Riyadh Season’ event, it was clear to see that Tyson Fury was not the only fighter keen to make a change ahead of the rematch, as Oleksandr Usyk donned the stage with a changed appearance – sporting a shaved head as he imitated ‘Agent 47’ from popular 2007 film, ‘Hitman’.
USYK JUST SHOWED UP AS AGENT 47 FROM HITMAN AT THE FURY PRESS CONFERENCE ? pic.twitter.com/r4P1nAvg1X
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) October 23, 2024
When asked of his new look, Usyk offered a short response…
“I don’t know.”
And when asked of what was in his accompanying suitcase, the undefeated technician responded with a typically deadpan but comical reply.
“It is just [for] character.”
Oleksandr Usyk on his new LOOK! ?#UsykFury2 | #RiyadhSeason | Dec 21 pic.twitter.com/0p2aRHQ9xS
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 23, 2024
However, he then proceeded to open the suitcase and took out a picture of his first fight with Tyson Fury – which he asked his opponent to sign, before joking that fans will “find it tomorrow on eBay”.
Oleksandr Usyk REVEALS what is in his briefcase ?#UsykFury2 | #RiyadhSeason | Dec 21 pic.twitter.com/cpClq5uDCO
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 23, 2024
Usyk-Fury II will take place on December 21st at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, topping a bill that features a salivating super-welterweight showdown between Serhii Bohachuk and Israil Madrimov, as well as intriguing heavyweight match-up’s involving popular British duo Johnny Fisher and Moses Itauma.
Boxing Social is now on WhatsApp! Join our channel by clicking here and getting all the latest boxing news direct to your phone.
